Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Kodi Add-ons

Jellyfin for Kodi vs Emby for Kodi

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Jellyfin for Kodi #4 in Kodi Add-ons 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan Visit Jellyfin
Emby for Kodi #5 in Kodi Add-ons 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan Visit Emby

Jellyfin for Kodi leads on 0 checks, Emby for Kodi on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Free planboth

Jellyfin for Kodi and Emby for Kodi score identically on our rubric (7.9 out of 10) for kodi add-ons; Jellyfin for Kodi sits at #4 and Emby for Kodi at #5 in our editorial ranking, so the choice comes down to fit.

On add-on type, Emby for Kodi gives you Service integration where Jellyfin for Kodi offers Metadata/library.

Jellyfin for Kodi is the better fit for jellyfin users wanting a synced Kodi library. Emby for Kodi is the better fit for emby users wanting native Kodi library integration.

  • Jellyfin for Kodi fits best

    Jellyfin users wanting a synced Kodi library

  • Emby for Kodi fits best

    Emby users wanting native Kodi library integration

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Jellyfin for Kodi 7.9/10 Visit ↗ Emby for Kodi 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.9 7.9
Ranking #4 in Kodi Add-ons #5 in Kodi Add-ons
Best for Jellyfin users wanting a synced Kodi library Emby users wanting native Kodi library integration
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Support Docs, Community Docs
Integrations 2 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Specs
Add-on type Metadata/library Service integration
Playback features Direct play; transcoding; add-on mode; native mode via NFS or SMB direct play; transcoding; remote playback commands
Library features Sync selected libraries to Kodi database; dynamic browsing of unsynced libraries; watched and resume-state sync synchronizes movies, TV shows, music videos, and music to Kodi database; dynamic library listings; watched and resume-state sync; extrafanart; profile backup
Supported platforms Kodi on PCs, tablets, Android TV, Fire TV and other TV boxes Not checked yet
Installation source Third-party repository Third-party repository
Our review
Pros
  • Syncs selected Jellyfin libraries into Kodi’s local database
  • Keeps watched and resume states synchronized between Jellyfin and Kodi
  • Supports direct play, transcoding, and native playback over NFS or SMB
  • Synchronizes selected Emby libraries with Kodi’s native database
  • Syncs watched and resume state between Emby and Kodi
  • Supports direct play, transcoding, Live TV, and remote playback commands
Cons
  • Requires a Jellyfin server
  • Installation is through a third-party repository
  • Support is through documentation and the community
  • Requires both Emby Server and Kodi
  • Installation uses Emby’s third-party repository
  • Support is documented through docs
Our verdict

Jellyfin for Kodi connects Kodi to a Jellyfin server, letting users sync selected libraries into Kodi’s local database or browse other libraries dynamically. It supports movies, TV shows, music videos and music, making it suited to…

Read the review →

Emby for Kodi connects Kodi to an Emby Server, bringing selected media libraries into Kodi’s native database. It is aimed at people who already use Emby and want to browse movies, TV shows, music videos, or music through Kodi. The add-on…

Read the review →
  1. Jellyfin for KodiKodi Add-ons 7.9Free plan
  2. Emby for KodiKodi Add-ons 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Jellyfin for Kodi — where it wins

    • Syncs selected Jellyfin libraries into Kodi’s local database
    • Keeps watched and resume states synchronized between Jellyfin and Kodi
    • Supports direct play, transcoding, and native playback over NFS or SMB

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a Jellyfin server
    • Installation is through a third-party repository
    • Support is through documentation and the community

  • Emby for Kodi — where it wins

    • Synchronizes selected Emby libraries with Kodi’s native database
    • Syncs watched and resume state between Emby and Kodi
    • Supports direct play, transcoding, Live TV, and remote playback commands

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires both Emby Server and Kodi
    • Installation uses Emby’s third-party repository
    • Support is documented through docs

More comparisons

All kodi add-ons comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update